Obexelimab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With Exploration of Response Based on Gene Pathway Co-Expression Patterns: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 Trial

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2023 Dec;75(12):2185-2194. doi: 10.1002/art.42652.

Abstract

Objective: Obexelimab is an investigational, bifunctional, noncytolytic monoclonal antibody that binds CD19 and FcyRIIb to inhibit B cells, plasmablasts, and plasma cells. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of obexelimab in the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: During screening, patients with active, non-organ-threatening SLE received corticosteroid injections to ameliorate symptoms while immunosuppressants were withdrawn (≤10 mg/day prednisone equivalent and ≤400 mg/day hydroxychloroquine allowed). Patients with improved disease activity were randomized 1:1 to obexelimab 5 mg/kg intravenously or placebo once every 2 weeks until week 32 or loss of improvement (LOI).

Results: In this study, 104 patients were randomized. Analysis of the primary endpoint, proportion of patients reaching week 32 without LOI, used an efficacy-evaluable (EE) population defined as patients who completed the study or withdrew for flare or treatment-related toxicity. This endpoint did not reach statistical significance: 21 of 50 obexelimab-treated patients (42.0%) versus 12 of 42 patients (28.6%) treated with a placebo (P = 0.183). Time to LOI was increased in obexelimab-treated patients versus patients treated with a placebo in the EE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.53, P = 0.025) and intention-to-treat (HR 0.59, P = 0.062) populations. In obexelimab-treated patients, B cells decreased approximately 50%, and trough concentration and inclusion in baseline gene expression clusters with high B cell pathway modules were associated with increased time to LOI. Obexelimab was associated with infusion reactions but was generally safe and well-tolerated.

Conclusion: Although the primary endpoint was not reached, secondary analysis showed time to LOI was significantly increased in obexelimab-treated patients, and analysis of patient subsets defined by gene expression patterns at baseline suggests a responding subpopulation.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02725515.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / therapeutic use
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / chemically induced
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / genetics
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Prednisone

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02725515